Life as an Akron Zips fan has been downright tough since their magical 2005 MAC championship run. The Zips have had a woeful record on familiar grounds, compiling a 22-56 record dating back to 2009, the year Akron departed from the historic Rubber Bowl to christen the new-fangled InfoCision Stadium.
The sudden departure of Terry Bowden after the 2018 season was the last time Akron had success of any kind, taking his 35-52 (23-33 MAC) record, two bowl appearances and a MAC East division title with
him into the sunset.
Seven years and two coaching staffs later, Akron has not come close to a winning season, with a combined record of 11-55, and their last postseason appearance —a loss to a homestanding Florida Atlantic team in the Boca Raton Bowl in 2017— well in the rear-view mirror.
But there’s more to this Akron squad than meets the eye.
The last three seasons under former Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead have been some of the most competitive the Zips have had in a decade when you take a look under the hood. 2022 saw the Zips finish 1-7 in games decided by nine points or less. Fast-forward to 2023, and you’ll see that Akron lose three games in overtime— including a four-overtime thriller against Indiana— and an additional two games by one possession to finish 2-10. 2024 was their best season since that fateful 2017 campaign, finishing 4-8 with two-straight victories to cap the year, including a retention of the Wagon Wheel over Kent State and a year-end overtime stunner against eventual MAC runners-up Toledo.
Joe Moorhead and crew hope coaching continuity, combined with careful consideration in the recruiting game, will help Akron stay competitive in what could be a wide-open mid-table race in the 2025 MAC football campaign.
What’s New?
In terms of what’s new, there really isn’t very much to report staff-wise.
Joe Moorhead is in his fourth season at the helm in Akron, and opted to stay after reported interest from both the NFL and larger NCAA programs to be an offensive coordinator or position coach during the offseason. Moorhead, who acts as his own OC, also retained defensive coordinator Tim Tebasar and special teams coordinator Allen Tucker, both of whom have been with Moorhead since his arrival in northeast Ohio.
Even the assistant coach roster stays largely the same from last year, with only defensive line coach Nyeem Wartman-White departing during the offseason for the same position at new MAC member UMass.
Roster turnover is the name of the game here, with the Zips losing six starters on offense, four of five starters on special teams and a ludicrous nine starters on defense ahead of the 2025 season. It’s not just the starters either; a number of depth pieces also departed due to graduation or transfer, forcing the Zips to be aggressive in the transfer portal in order to make numbers.
Over the offseason, the coaching staff brought in six offensive linemen, six defensive linemen, four receivers, two running backs and two safeties through the portal in an effort to try and shore up depth at positions which were especially affected by departures. (We’ll get into that shortly.)
Offense
| Stat | Total | MAC Rank (of 13) | National Rank (of 134) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Yards Avg. | 232.4 | 5 | 59 |
| Passing TDs | 16 | 9 | 91 |
| Completion % | 55.8 | 11 | 115 |
| Rush Yards Avg. | 100.3 | 12 | 122 |
| Rushing TDs | 11 | 11 | 120 |
| Total Offense Avg. | 332.8 | 11 | 112 |
| Points Per Game | 20.4 | 12 | 120 |
| Turnovers | 20 | t-10 | t-87 |
| Sacks Allowed Avg. | 2.5 | 10 | t-96 |
| Tackles-for-loss Allowed Avg. | 5.42 | 5 | 62 |
| Third-down % | 36.2 | 7 | 106 |
| Fourth-down % | 26.7 | 13 | 133 |
- Key arrivals: RBs Jordan Gant (FCS Tennessee State) and Cam Macon (D-II Walsh), OG Allen Jones Jr. and OT Maasai King (both transfers from FCS West Alabama), OT Javiera Moore Sr. (D-II East Texas A&M)
- Key departures: QB Tahj Bullock (Colorado State), RBs Jordan Simmons and Charles Kellom (both to graduation), WR Adrian Norton (Marshall), WR Ahmarian Granger (transfer portal), WR Bobby Golden (Louisville), OL Josh Blanchard (graduation), OC Tyhler Williams (Georgia State), OT Jayvin James (Mississippi State)
- Key incumbents: QB Ben Finley, WRs Alex Adams and Israel Polk, TE Jake Newell, OG Keylan Davis
The coaching staff’s emphasis on back-filling and developing offensive line depth over the last two years has worked dividends, with Akron going from 46 sacks allowed in 2023 (and a lowly 2.8 yards per rush attempt!) to just 30 sacks allowed in 2024. (For comparison, 2021 and 2022 had 63 and 56 sacks allowed, respectively.) It has also been an double-edged sword for the Zips, as a sizeable number of starters have entered the transfer portal in that time.
This season, the Zips had three starters and two depth pieces find new homes in 2025, necessitating six transfer signings— a year removed from signing five new players to replace five outgoing players.
The fiercest position battles on offense will be at the tackle positions, with four transfers fighting for the right to start, including Darrell Johnson Jr. (five games at WKU in ‘24), Jayme Motley-Simmons (12 games at FCS North Alabama), Javirea Moore (seven games at D-II East Texas A&M in ‘24) and Maasai King (20 games over two seasons at FCS North Alabama.) On-roster option Dayne Shorr (11 games in ‘24) should also get a look on the outside of the line.
The interior is a little more settled with center Delvin Morris (seven starts in 12 games) and left guard Keylan Davis (11 starts in 12 games) returning, but there should still be a fight for the right guard spot, with West Alabama transfer Allen Jones (nine games in ’24) the likely fit. East Carolina transfer Amarie Archer and former starting guard AJ George (nine games in ‘24) could also be in the mix for the rotation.
Unlike last season, there will be no quarterback intrigue, as Ben Finley (2,604 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, nine interceptions; 271 rush yards before sacks) is back for his second year after earning the starting nod in 2024. Tahj Bullock (381 total yards), who served as the team’s Wildcat specialist last season, transferred out for a chance to compete for a starting role, suggesting Akron will likely return to a more traditional offense in 2025.
The skill positions, however, will see a lot of change, with the Zips’ top three rushers and four of their top five receivers all departing during the offseason.
Marquise Williams, a Minnesota transfer who saw limited playing time last season, will have a chance to compete for starting duties at running back against two transfers in Jordan Gant (251 total yards, one touchdown at FCS Tennessee State in ‘24) and Cam Macon (520 yards, nine touchdowns in ‘24 at D-II Walsh.)
Alex Adams returns to lead the wide receiver room after dealing with a recurring injury in 2024 which forced him to redshirt. He was a dynamic playmaker in 2022, leading the Zips in catches (63), yards (850) and touchdowns (nine); if he can gt back to form, it would go a long way in helping prop up an otherwise inexperienced room. Israel Polk, a depth receiver last year, also returns after catching 24 passes for 201 yards. Akron brought in four additions through the portal they hope can contribute, with Brandon Hills (Washington State), Marcel Williams (Marshall), Cameron Montiero (Pittsburgh) and Tim Grear (four receptions, 46 yards at Fresno State in ‘24.)
Jake Newell, one of the MAC’s best passcatching tight ends, does return in 2025, and it’s a good thing too; he’s their leading returning receiver after catching 35 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns last season. His backup, Connor Cravaack, isn’t half bad either, with 13 catches for 147 yards.
Defense
| Stat | Total | MAC Rank (of 13) | National Rank (of 134) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Yards Allowed Avg. | 231.1 | 10 | 88 |
| Passing TDs Allowed | 24 | 10 | t-109 |
| Completion % | 64.4 | 12 | 106 |
| Rush Yards Allowed Avg. | 183.3 | 10 | 107 |
| Rushing TDs | 23 | 9 | t-93 |
| Total Defense Avg. | 414.4 | 10 | 108 |
| Points Per Game Allowed | 32 | 10 | 110 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 11 | 124 |
| Sacks | 18 | 12 | t-111 |
| Tackles-for-loss | 59 | 9 | 98 |
| Third-down % | 38.7 | 8 | 66 |
| Fourth-down % | 57.7 | 10 | t-95 |
- Key arrivals: DB Alex Branch (Kent State), DB De’Javion Stephney (Marshall), DB Mehki Flowers (Penn State), DE Cyrus Durham Arizona), DL Julien Laventure (D-II Cal U. of Penn.)
- Key departures: EDGE CJ Nunnally IV (graduation), DL Nathan Kapongo (graduation), DL Bennett Adler (graduation), DL Marcus Moore (graduation), NT Lavea Lama (graduation), DB Paul Lewis (graduation), DB Darrian Lewis and SAF Devontae Golden-Nelson (both to West Virginia), LB Antavious Fish (Sam Houston State), LB Bryan McCoy (graduation)
- Key incumbents: SAF Daymon Davis, DL Bruno Dall, LB Gage Summers, DB Elijah Reed
The 2024 defense took a major step back from a very successful 2023 effort, and it was ultimately the team’s undoing in many games. A deeper scan into the 2024 box scores will show only two games which were one-possession efforts; Akron either won by more than eight points or lost by more than eight points in 10 of their 12 contests.
Somehow, despite this, Akron doubled their win total from the year prior. Part of that was better offensive effort helping in wins, but part of it was also major regression in a number of defensive categories in losses. Akron saw sharp increases in points per game allowed (32 per game vs. 28 in ’23), passing yards allowed (232 per game vs. 187 in ‘23), rushing yards allowed (182 per game vs. 148 in ’23), total yards allowed (414 vs. 335 in ‘23) and opposing completion percentage (64.5 vs. 55.9 in ’23), while also nabbing just two picks and 18 sacks (good for 12th in the MAC.)
In that sense, maybe a reset was necessary, especially in the front seven. This must have been what Akron’s staff thought, because they invested a lot of resources into defensive line depth this recruiting cycle by signing six transfers.
Defensive end Cyrus Durham has the highest profile after playing two games for Arizona in 2024. At the JUCO level in 2023, Durham picked up 66 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and three pass break-ups. He’ll likely have the inside track to start after the departures of Nunally and Adler. Izzy Duncan (15 tackles, four sacks at Pasadena College [JUCO] in ‘24) is the other end prospect the staff brought in during the cycle and could key in to the plan.
D-II transfer Julian Laventure (41 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks at D-II Cal University of Pennsylvania in ’24) and Reedley College prospect Eddie Vega (25 tackles, 14 TFLs, 4.5 sacks in ’24) bring unique size to the defensive tackle position and will battle with sophomore Ronald Hull, who earned some rotation time as a true freshman for Akron last year.
In terms of returnees who could figure into starting roles along the line, Dimitri Madden (four tackles, one sack in seven games in ’24) projects as the starting nose guard after backing up Lavea Lama in 2024, while the intriguing six-foot-seven, 250 lb. Bruno Dall (nine tackles, one sack in 11 games in ‘24) is the favorite to be the stand-up rushing edge.
Linebackers are also a work-in-progress. Shammond Cooper and Gage Summers figure to be the two starters inside after being rotation players in 2024. Summers in particular flashed for the Zips down the stretch, finishing with 35 tackles in six games last season— with a program-record 19 total stops against Toledo to end the year. Cooper is back after suffering an injury early in 2024; as part of the rotation in 2023, Cooper had 53 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and three sacks. A third linebacker emerging from their depth pieces would be massive.
Nickelback, which is a crucial component of the Zips defense, will likely see a battle between Kent State transfer Alex Branch (21 tackles in ‘24) and Marshall transfer De’Javion Stephney (65 tackles and 11 starts for Central Michigan in ‘23.)
Mehki Flowers, a former four-star prospect who played in 14 games over three seasons for Penn State, will be in a battle for playing time at safety alongside Daymon David, a fellow former highly-ranked prospect. David appeared in only two games before losing his season to injury, but managed nine tackles and notched an interception vs. Ohio State prior to going down. Justin Anderson (44 tackles, three TLFs, one sack in ’24) is the returning starter at the strong safety position.
Elijah Reed (32 tackles, four PBUs, one INT in ’24) is the highlight player in the secondary after transferring in from Kentucky last season. At six-foot-three, 200 lbs., he brings Power Four size to the Akron backfield. The other cornerback spot is up for grabs, with Catrell White (seven tackles, three PBUs in 11 games and 1 start in ‘24) the favorite on the field side.
Special Teams
| Stat | Total | MAC Rank (of 13) | National Rank (of 134) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 81.3 | t-4 | 38 |
| Extra Point % | 100 | t-1 | 2 |
| Punts Per Game | 5.5 | 2 | 8 |
| Yards Per Punt | 43.1 | 1 | 49 |
| Kickoff Return Avg. | 15.8 | 13 | 123 |
| Punt Return Avg. | -0.1 | 13 | 133 |
- Key arrivals: PK Adam Samaha (Michigan), LS Jake Dennis (Colorado State)
- Key departures: PK Garrison Smith, P Avery Book, KOS/PK Dante Jackson, KRs Bobby Golden, PRs Noel Roach, KR/PR Jordan Castleberry (all to graduation)
- Key incumbents: PK Owen Wiley, P Joseph Castle
Akron’s typically moribund special teams unit was actually serviceable in 2024, ranking 78th in the country (up from 124th of 133 teams in ‘23) thanks to the steadying presence of two transfer seniors in Garrison Smith (13-of-16 field goals, 24-of-24 on extra points) and first-team all-MAC punter Avery Book (43.1 yards per punt.)
Now, they must replace all six positions with not a lot of experience to pull from. Projected starting punter Joseph Castle was last year’s holder and did not punt once in 2024. Owen Wiley (4-of-6 on field goals in 2023) is still on the roster, and will battle incoming Michigan transfer Adam Samaha. Jake Dennis had nine games for the Rams in 2024 and should help steady the operation.
There’s no immediately apparent successor at the return spots either, with all three primary returners from 2024 graduating.
A drop in performance could be in store on this side of the ball as they work to build chemistry.
Outlook
A looming cloud over the Zips’ heads is that even if they do get to six wins, they won’t be able to celebrate; Akron fell afoul of the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate minimums in 2023 and then again in 2024, resulting in a potential postseason ban.
Regardless of what might come from those proceedings, fighting for a .500 record should be the goal for this squad. The end of the 2024 season showed the possibilities for the Zips; winning back-to-back contests for the first time since 2018 against your biggest rival and one of the conference’s best programs likely lifted a big monkey off the program’s collective backs.
The out-of-conference slate, unlike most seasons, is favorable, with just one buy game against Nebraska in Week 2. Surrounding that Nebraska game are two 3-9 non-Autonomous programs in Wyoming and UAB before FCS Duquense rolls into town. A 2-2 or even a 3-1 record is possible if Akron can integrate their new pieces quickly.
After that, Akron draws five MAC teams with first-year head coaches in conference play, hosting three of them, and avoids MAC champion Ohio. In a league where parity has ruled over the last decade or so, those are all “gettable” results, especially for a coaching staff which has been together for four-straight seasons.
A lot of Akron’s success will ultimately come down to if their new pieces on both sides of the ball can gel together. Moorhead and his staff have shown their ability to scout and develop transfers who can contribute right away in recent years, but being dependent on such tactics is akin to standing on a razor’s edge. If their gambles don’t pay off, one of the biggest opportunities to turn the tide of the program around could go just like that.
Schedule
Dates and times are accurate as of publication. Asterisk (*) denotes a Homecoming game.
| Week | Opponent | Date | Time (All ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | Fri. Aug. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| 2 | @ Nebraska | Sat. Sept. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| 3 | @ UAB | Sat. Sept. 13 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| 4 | Duquense (FCS) | Sat. Sept. 20 | 6:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| 5 | @ Toledo | Sat. Sept. 27 | TBA | TBA |
| 6 | Central Michigan * | Sat. Oct. 4 | 3:30 p.m. | TBA |
| 7 | Miami [OH] | Sat. Oct. 11 | TBA | TBA |
| 8 | @ Ball State | Sat. Oct. 18 | TBA | TBA |
| 9 | @ Buffalo | Sat. Oct. 25 | TBA | TBA |
| 10 | BYE | |||
| 11 | UMass | Tues. Nov. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | Choice (ESPN2 or CBSSN) |
| 12 | Kent State | Tues. Nov. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Choice (ESPN Networks) |
| 13 | @ Bowling Green | Tues. Nov. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | Choice (ESPN2/U or CBSSN) |
| 14 | BYE | |||
| 15 | MAC Championship | Sat. Dec. 6 | Noon | ESPN |
